Texas Highway Collision, Multi-Vehicle Wreck Kills Three, Troopers Investigate Chain Reaction Causes

Dallas, United States— State troopers shut down northbound lanes of Interstate 35 just north of Dallas shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday after a high-speed chain reaction crash killed three people and left a tangle of trucks and cars across the median.

The pileup started when a tractor-trailer slowed for congested traffic near mile marker 412. Investigators said a second commercial vehicle failed to brake in time and struck the trailer, pushing it into two passenger sedans ahead. A third car then slammed into the wreckage from behind.

Three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The county medical examiner’s office confirmed the fatalities included two drivers and one passenger. Their identities are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. Four other people were transported with injuries ranging from critical to moderate.

"I heard brakes, then a hard thud. The whole line stopped. Smoke was everywhere," said Marcus Bell, a commuter who was three cars behind the initial impact and pulled over to call 911. His dashcam footage has been handed to investigators.

The Department of Public Safety closed the highway for nearly six hours. Fire crews cut open two vehicles to free trapped drivers. Hazmat teams contained diesel fuel leaking from one of the trucks. A drone unit mapped skid marks and debris fields for reconstruction.

Troopers said visibility was clear and the road surface was dry at the time. They are examining driver logs, electronic logging devices, and potential distraction or fatigue. No charges have been filed yet.

"We are looking at speed, following distance, and hours of service. This stretch backs up fast at dawn and drivers don’t always adjust," Sgt. Elena Ruiz, spokesperson for the Texas Highway Patrol, said at a roadside briefing.

Traffic was diverted to frontage roads, creating a 7-mile backup that stretched into the morning rush. The Texas Department of Transportation reopened two lanes by noon and said full clearance would require barrier repair.

The crash file will be sent to the district attorney once reconstruction is complete. Investigators are asking for any additional dashcam video from motorists who were in the area between 5:50 and 6:15 a.m.